Which motorcycles are most theft prone?

The most theft prone motorcycles are recent-model, small-capacity Japanese bikes in Victoria, according to official statistics released by the National Theft Reduction Council.

Motorcycle thefts in Australia have increased 3.3% or 255 to 8299 bikes stolen in the past 12 months to the end of November, the figures show.

That’s the most stolen bikes since 8704 in 2012/13.

It’s bad news for riders’ insurance premiums which may hike.

The official theft figures from the Council also show the type of bike and location of the owner that is the most theft prone. These are factors that may also affect your insurance premium.

For the first time, the figures include the age of vehicles stolen. It seems thieves either want a brand new bike, or one about 10 to 15 years old, after which your bike is relatively safe.

The biggest growth in motorcycle theft in the past financial year has been in Victoria which has experienced a massive 22.1% increase to leapfrog Western Australia as the most likely state where your bike will be stolen.

Motorcycle theft summary

State or Territory

2014/15

2015/16

% change

Thefts

% of thefts

Thefts

% of thefts

ACT

124

1.5

110

1.3

-11.3%

NSW

1492

18.5

1,343

16.2

-10%

NT

171

2.1

141

1.7

-17.5%

QLD

1296

16.1

1,466

17.7

13.1%

SA

539

6.7

583

7.0

8.2%

TAS

149

1.9

118

1.4

-20.8%

VIC

1875

23.3

2,290

27.6

22.1%

WA

2398

29.8

2,248

27.1

-6.3%

AUS

8044

100.0

8,299

100.0

3.2%

However, the most theft prone local government region is South East Queensland (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Logan, Moreton Bay).

Motorcycle thefts by top Local Government Areas

State or Territory

LGA

2014/15

2015/16

% change

QLD

Brisbane (City)

288

271

-5.9%

QLD

Gold Coast (City)

150

224

49.3%

WA

Stirling (City)

150

201

34%

VIC

Melbourne (City)

125

200

60%

QLD

Logan (City)

123

161

30.9%

VIC

Port Phillip (City)

80

158

97.5%

WA

Wanneroo (City)

108

132

22.2%

QLD

Moreton Bay (Regional Council)

123

119

-3.3%

WA

Broome (Shire)

98

112

14.3%

WA

Perth (City)

94

111

18.1%

Of course, the most prolific brands on the road are also the most stolen, with Honda again topping the list ahead of the other Japanese manufacturers. KTM is next because a lot of low-capacity dirt bikes are stolen.

Theft prone motorcycles

Make

2014/15

2015/16

Honda

1579

1661

Yamaha

1459

1481

Kawasaki

794

799

Suzuki

783

763

KTM

486

479

Harley-Davidson

175

227

Hyosung

160

200

SYM

176

168

Triumph

125

165

Longjia

161

147

Piaggio

153

133

Kymco

101

131

Ducati

72

107

Husqvarna

116

103

Adly

100

99

TGB

108

99

Vmoto

101

92

Vespa

60

89

Aprilia

75

84

Polaris

49

65

In fact, the most theft prone bikes are in the 201-250cc category followed closely by 50cc or less. That’s probably because these are lighter and easier to steal than a big-capacity bike.

Motorcycle thefts by cubic capacity

Cubic capacity

2014/15

% of thefts

2015/16

% of thefts

50 cc or less

1039

12.9

965

11.6

51 – 100 cc

189

2.3

146

1.8

101 – 150 cc

798

9.9

850

10.2

151 – 200 cc

135

1.7

132

1.6

201 – 250 cc

1,120

13.9

1,086

13.1

251 – 500 cc

996

12.4

1,026

12.4

501 – 750 cc

857

10.7

907

10.9

751 – 1000 cc

403

5.0

460

5.5

1001 cc or more

296

3.7

318

3.8

Unknown

2211

27.5

2,409

29

The most prominent time for bike theft is over the weekend from 4pm Friday to Monday 5am.

Motorcycle thefts by time of day and day of week

Earliest possible time of theft

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Total

00:00 – 03:59

142

124

107

121

125

174

176

969

04:00 – 07:59

120

113

120

104

111

85

60

713

08:00 – 11:59

168

174

169

156

139

170

158

1,134

12:00 – 15:59

133

151

149

152

187

213

208

1,193

16:00 – 19:59

277

277

316

292

382

336

313

2,193

20:00 – 23:59

289

277

289

294

310

328

310

2,097

Total

1,129

1,116

1,150

1,119

1,254

1,306

1,225

8,299

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR BIKE

Buy a secure chain so you can chain your bike to an immovable object like a lamp post.

Use a secure disc lock with a reminder cord attached to your handlebars so you don’t ride off with it still in place.

Also, use the steering lock if your bike has one.

Even when parked in a secure location such as your garage or behind a locked gate, consider the extra security of using the steering lock, a disc lock or chain as well.

Pull out a spark plug or fuse, or have an immobiliser fitted.

Don’t park your bike in railway or shopping centre carparks as these are notorious for theft.

Park in a locked carpark. If you have to park in the open, leave it where you can see your bike or in view of a security camera and/or under a light.

Otherwise, keep your bike out of sight, maybe parking it behind your car. If parking in a garage, block the bike with your car and ensure the garage is locked.

When riding home, make sure you are not being followed.

Stay alert for suspicious vans or trucks driving around late at night. These are used to transport stolen motorcycles.

Put a cover over your bike. It might slow down thieves and prevent theft of accessories. But make sure it isn’t a flashy lone with the brand name of the bike on it. That only entices thieves.

When riding in a group, park your bikes together.

Consider marking your bike in a unique way that could aid in recovery and therefore dissuade thieves.

At hotels or public parking spaces, try to park in view of parking lot security cameras and lights.